The next morning, within a wealthier district of Avalon...
My eyes scan the room around me, taking in its lavish accommodations, and I wonder if the elven big wigs we're getting ready to meet could have picked a single more pretentious location. Seeing my expression, which I assume is slightly disdainful, Alyse leans over and whispers conspiratorially from her position on the couch to my right, her tone mocking and equally unimpressed.
"I hear that, for the right price, the workers here will even powder your ass like a baby's. I mean, take my money, am I right? Only fools would call this an overpriced, pointless social club." (Alyse)
My mouth twitches, and I cast an amused look over at her, taking in her irreverent demeanor – contemptuous smirk, legs crossed lazily and arms thrown over the couch back, sword laid across her lap, wearing leather pants and a sleeveless top that I'm certain violates whatever dress code I'm biased to assume this place has.
[Glad I'm not the only one that can't stand the atmosphere here.] (Mizuki)
Alyse frowns.
"Can't you just whisper? I'm right here, and hearing your voice in my head...well, it creeps me out a little." (Alyse)
I raise my eyebrows at the remark, but take no offense.
"Sorry, force of habit. I'm terrible at whispering." (Mizuki)
Nearby, Alara sighs.
"You're both terrible at whispering. Violating the dress code is bad enough, do you really have to insult this place and it's members so obviously as well? This is the most prestigious social club in the Kingdom, and we will likely have to do more business here in the future." (Alara)
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, this place really does have a dress code. Alyse, though she doesn't seem particularly concerned, nods apologetically, surprising me. Alara, sitting next to her in a regal, black dress, also looks surprised.
"Alright, I'll keep my scorn to myself. My clothes aren't an issue, though. Even if I'm Eden's Prima, I'm also your guard today. It'd be more ridiculous if I was in a dress. Plus, I'm the Sword Goddess, and you're the former Princess...they're too scared to reprimand me. Alto's the one I'd worry about." (Alyse)
At her comment, we all glance at Alto on the couch to my left. She's been especially quiet all morning, and is also dressed in leather pants and a shirt. However, while Alyse's clothes give the distinct impression of combat gear, Alto's looks more like deliberately casual attire. Of very fine quality, yet appearing comfortable, giving the impression to anyone observant that the lack of formality is a choice, not a socioeconomic consequence. It's very similar to what I'd normally wear. Although, even I am dressed up in elven formalwear now, since it'll be expected of me for the Royal Announcement later anyway.
I give Alto a puzzled look.
"Now that she mentions it, why are you wearing that? You've mostly worn dresses these past weeks." (Mizuki)
She looks at me, surprised, then the faintest smile infiltrates her expression.
"I will wear something else for the Royal Announcement. For now, this just feels...best." (Alto)
I raise my eyebrow at her cryptic response. However, if she's going to wear something nicer to the Royal Announcement, and Alara doesn't care...oh well, I guess.
Before anyone can comment further, the silence is penetrated by the sound of our private room's heavy, wooden door opening, drawing all our gazes.
The staff member in butler-like attire that first led us here stands holding the door open, ushering in two newcomers. Both are middle-aged elves, early signs of greying evident in their hair, and judging by their expensive clothing, unhurried steps, and uppity gazes, they must be the CEOs we're here to meet with.
The man is dark-haired, his frame of slightly above-average height with a lean quality that speaks of neither indulgence nor regular physical training. He's dressed in a grey, formal top and black pants that I can only assume are obnoxiously expensive, since they resemble in both design and material what I'm wearing...something gifted to me by the royals themselves so as not to embarrass them. Most striking, however, are his cold, piercing blue eyes that give me an uneasy sense of deja vu.
Wrapped loosely around his arm is a lithe, blonde woman in a wool-grey dress that matches the man's outfit, her closeness to him seeming more decorative than affectionate as they walk. Her strides are graceful, exuding a refined elegance typical of the wealthy elves I've encountered so far. Yet, partway through their approach, her steps falter briefly as her gaze passes over us. Shock registers on her face, before her expression inexplicably becomes...nervous, which I can't quite reconcile with a business meeting that someone of her station must participate in regularly.
The pair arrive to our side as the door shuts softly behind them. Alara rises gracefully from the couch to greet them, a polite but not particularly deferential smile on her face.
The man gives a bow as polished as it is slight, then effortlessly flashes a smile that seems exaggerated and out of place amidst his otherwise cold features.
"Princess Alara! We're humbled that an Ophelle has taken an interest in our company. I hope the accommodations are to your liking?" (Man)
Alara nods, her tone measured but not unkind.
"Of course, Mr. Silver. Your company's reputation precedes you, after all, and the Mellow Elf's accommodations are as splendid as rumored. Also, I am no longer a Princess nor an Ophelle...you may call me Lady Alara." (Alara)
The man, Mr. Silver, inclines his head politely.
"Of course, Lady Alara. Old habits, as it were. On the subject of introductions..." (Mr. Silver)
He trails off, his eyes sweeping over Alyse, myself, and Alto inquisitively, his gaze seeming to linger on the latter a moment longer. However, a moment soon turns to two, until he's simply staring at Alto. I glance around, puzzled, only to find that Alara and Alyse seem equally confused. As for Alto, she simply continues to meet his gaze in silence, a small smirk playing on her lips that manages to look both amused and slightly hostile.
Alara, taking the strange behavior as curiosity, interjects in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Ah, yes, allow me to introduce everyone. This is Lady Alto, who you may remember from the last Royal Announcement. She's a trusted...friend, of Lady Nedonera." (Alara)
Something resembling realization flashes in Mr. Silver's eyes, his smile growing slightly strained, while Mrs. Silver imperceptibly winces at his side. However, Alara, seemingly oblivious, just continues the introductions. She gestures at Alyse next.
"This is Lady Alyse, of House Egris, who I'm sure you're familiar with for her sword skills. She's recently moved to Eden and was gracious enough to become its Prima." (Alara)
Mr. Silver finally pulls his gaze away from Alto, a faint trace of surprise infiltrating his expression as he looks at Alyse, who just nods back at him lazily. Alara gestures at me next.
"This is..." (Alara)
She pauses, hesitancy and a silent request flickering across her expression as she looks at me. She's probably uncertain about how to introduce me, especially so soon before the Royal Announcement, where most of the public information about me will be turned on its head. Human or Nephilim? Sir, Lord, or Prince? Servant, advisor, or husband to Nedonera? Even her most basic address of me and my background will necessarily be heavy with implication.
Realizing this, I step forward slightly to interject, addressing Mr. Silver with a small smile and nod.
"I am Mizuki. I am not an elf, as you can see, which I imagine leaves few questions for you about my identity. Regarding Lady Nedonera, she is unable to attend today, but you can consider any words from me to have her complete support." (Mizuki)
Of course, while that's true, because Nina doesn't really give a shit about the elves, it's also true that Nina could have come herself. Her original excuse of being busy with the construction in demi-human lands no longer applies. Yet, when I asked her to do just that, she flat out refused, which I shouldn't be surprised by. Unless there's scheming or drama afoot on my part, she rarely has any interest in meeting with random mortals.
Mr. Silver's eyebrows raise, and his smile seems to widen slightly, reflecting rather genuine excitement.
"Ah, yes! The human who befriended the elven royal family and an Elder Dragon...you're rather famous. Quite the subject of intrigue among wealthy elves, too. Truthfully, I was hoping you'd join us today. It's exciting to meet you." (Mr. Silver)
I blink, more than a little stunned by the warm reception, which does not seem to be at all disingenuous.
"Excited? To meet me? Why?" (Mizuki)
As if already intuiting the reason for my confusion, he waves dismissively.
"To me, this absolute ban on human relations is a deeply irrational, economic travesty. The majority of leather and furs in the elven market come from trade, with the demi-humans traveling to our borders. Yet, we won't even consider opening economic pathways with humans, even though it could solve our enchanted item shortage and perhaps offer other novel goods as sought after as the demi-human's offerings.
"Naturally, talking to an actual human is a wondrous opportunity to understand their economic potential...I am a businessman first, after all." (Mr. Silver)
I stare at him for a moment, dumbfounded, and I can't decide whether it's because his overt friendliness still seems so incongruent with his appearance, or because his reasoning for it is so strangely...rational. Honestly, maybe I judged the guy too harshly, assuming he'd be a pretentious douchebag.
Mrs. Silver clears her throat at his side, causing everyone to look at her. She smiles faintly, her voice polite but oddly strained.
"Perhaps such conversations should be saved for another time, don't you think, Dear? There's much to discuss...more important matters, yes?" (Mrs. Silver)
Her gaze subtly intensifies as she stresses the mention of other matters. For the briefest of moments, Mr. Silver's gaze flickers with irritation, and he glances at Alto. However, it passes almost immediately, then he returns a measured smile to his wife.
"Of course..." (Mr. Silver)
At his direction, and after a final exchange of greetings, we all take our seats. Me, Alto, Alyse, and Alara on one couch, the Silver couple on another. However, while I'm expecting Alara and Mr. Silver to immediately dive into business talks that put me to sleep, Mrs. Silver promptly faces Alto, leaning forward hesitantly with a nervous smile on her face.
"Alto...it is good to see you, again..." (Mrs. Silver)
I freeze, glancing between the anxious-looking Mrs. Silver and the now frowning Alto with a stupefied expression of my own. One I don't carry alone, it seems, because Alyse blurts out my thoughts before I can.
"What the hell...you two know each other?" (Alyse)
Alara gives Alyse a sharp, reproachful look that goes unnoticed, but Mrs. Silver at least doesn't seem to mind the coarse language.
"Of course...-" (Mrs. Silver)
"Not really." (Alto)
Alto's voice overlaps with Mrs. Silver's, the latter quiet and melancholy, the former cold and sharp. While the rest of us just glance between them with even more bewildered looks, Mr. Silver's expression subtly hardens nearby, and Mrs. Silver jerks like she's been slapped. Hurt begins to glisten in her eyes, though she tries to hide it.
Witnessing the exchange, my mind summons a confluence of previously unrelated memories – Alto's strange behavior last night, her general aversion to talking about her past, her abnormally developed vocabulary and education, the nagging familiarity of Mr. Silver's gaze. A suspicion takes form, shocking yet undeniably compelling, and my eyes widen.
Is she...?
As if in confirmation to my unspoken question, Mr. Silver interjects, his tone having cooled to something civil at best.
"That's no way to behave towards your mother, Alto." (Mr. Silver)